Ahye loves kids, thrilled to give back

Cougars athletes lead warm-up drills at the Michelle-Lee Ahye Coaching and Family Day.

TWO-HUNDRED children got the opportunity to take part in a number of different sports, at the inaugural Michelle-Lee Ahye Coaching and Family Day, held at the Defence Force Headquarters in Chaguaramas, yesterday.

Ahye, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, got a lot of support from a number of local coaches and athletes. Among the coaches at the event were track and field veteran administrator/coach Kelvin Nancoo and prominent youth football coach Anthony "Dada" Wickham. President of the National Association of Athletics Administrations Ephraim Serrette also attended.

This youngster takes part in shot put at the inaugural Michelle-Lee Ahye Coaching and Family Day at Defence Force Headquarters, Chaguaramas.

Primary and Secondary school children participated in football, cricket, track and field and jump rope. Some of the sports were even combined which made the day even more exciting for the children. West Indies cricketer Stacy-Ann King combined the sport of track and field and cricket in one drill, as athletes from the Cougars Athletics Club conducted a running exercise before throwing a ball at a stump.

Ahye, speaking to the Newsday, said she enjoys helping children. "I love kids and I love to give back...so my manager and I decided to keep something like this for the kids," Ahye said.

FUN DAY: Children play a game of football at the Michelle-Lee Ahye Coaching and Family Day in Chaguaramas, yesterday.

Ahye has goals to make the event an annual event to help the next generation of athletes. The two-time Olympic finalist said, "I am really hoping it becomes an annual event because I really love helping kids and pushing them for the future."

What made the event even more special is that it was held close to her hometown. "I am from Carenage. There is a savannah in Carenage, but I guess it was too small to keep this event so we came down here."

A Cougars athlete does a hurdle drill at the Michelle-Lee Ahye Coaching and Family Day yesterday.

Ahye, who is looking ahead to the 2019 World Championships, had some help from a number of national athletes also. "Kyle Greaux (is here), and we have Shakiel Waithe from Tobago he is here, we have a national cricketer (Stacy-Ann King) and Reyare Thomas is on her way here."